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Title: A Comparison of Native and Nonnative English Speaking Teachers’ Beliefs about Teaching English as a Second Language to Adult English Language Learners.
Authors: Rosemaria Maum
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Item ID: 0129
Document Type: DIS; RES-NX [Dissertation; Non-Experimental research]
Availability: Copy available for fee from: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=765872711&sid=1&Fmt=2&clientId=41533&RQT=309&VName=PQD
Date: 2003
Population Type: Adult ESL Teachers
Useful To: Teacher Trainers, Teachers, Researchers
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Abstract: This dissertation examines teachers’ beliefs and practices by comparing the perspectives of native English-speaking [NES] and non-native English-speaking [NNES] adult ESL teachers. Data were collected both through a large-scale survey of 80 adult ESL teachers across the United States and through interviews with 11 teachers. Both the statistical and qualitative analyses of the survey results and the interview data revealed significant differences between the two groups. For example, NNES teachers were more likely to see an important role for the teacher’s own sociocultural and linguistic background in the classroom, and for the inclusion of cross-cultural issues in ESL instruction. NES teachers tended to be unaware of the marginalization issues faced by their NNES colleagues. Recommendations for the training of both NES and NNES teachers include raising awareness of issues and encouraging discussion of pedagogical implications.